As you’re probably aware, many pages on my site provide both new and more seasoned colleagues with links to a wide variety of resources. These include books translators and interpreters have written, business-related and/or translation courses they run, webinars they give, podcasts they host and much more.

Although a great deal of this content is free and packed with good suggestions, you obviously shouldn’t take everything you read or hear as gospel or follow every piece of advice. This is especially true if the content you’d like to access comes with a price tag, a tag that can sometimes involve parting with quite a hefty amount of your hard-earned cash.

The main point to bear in mind when accessing these pages is that inclusion in the lists (generally in alphabetical order) doesn’t equate to a personal recommendation. In the vast majority of the cases, I haven’t read the books, taken the courses or watched the webinars and YouTube channels, etc. My own and others’ reviews (written as guest posts for my blog or published on other sites) are provided where possible. And, of course, one positive review doesn’t mean everyone will get something out of this resource, just as one negative review doesn’t mean that no one will find it useful.

I’m sure we’ve all heard the quote: ‘those who can, do; those who can’t, teach’. Many have complained about colleagues charging for their content even though they lack the real expertise to show others how to be successful. In difficult times, these instagurus (as they are often termed in our sector—do please click on the link for an explanation) have diversified to give themselves another income stream. However, we cannot tar every translator or interpreter providing courses, books, etc., with the same brush. Not everyone who trains, coaches or teaches does so purely out of necessity and many are good at explaining and enjoy helping others.

Given that many so-called instagurus have garnered admirers and positive reviews, you may find some of their content included in the lists on this site. It’s not my job to police the translation and interpreting sector, decide who is worthy and who is not, and, generally, to tell others what to do. I believe that if I started to do that, or allowed others’ opinions to influence my choices, it would become difficult to know when to stop.

Rather than omitting content that some colleagues might find dubious because they disagree with the author’s/provider’s views, it would be far more helpful to link to a review explaining their opinion. If you’d like to write one for My Words for a Change or would like me to include a link to a review on another site, please contact me.

My advice to all readers is that you search for details and reviews before you buy a book or pay for a webinar, course or coaching. Weigh up whether you really need to part with your money for the information you’re likely to receive or whether you can get it elsewhere cheaper or even free. Listen to others’ opinions to help you decide but remember that no one knows your needs and circumstances as well as you do.

Good luck on your journey and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

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